Hello fellow/sister wanderers! I am off to France in May to study painting for a week in Provence and spend a couple of precious days on my own in Paris. I'm a healthy and energetic woman in my 50s, married, semiretired consultant and mom of two great daughters (one an LSU law student, and the other a teen). This trip is my 55th b-day present from my husband as I returned to painting a few years ago after a 25+year hiatus, and began studying and painting regularly again. This trip has me studying with a group of seven plus instructor in Arles, St. Remy, and Le Baux. We'll paint ourdoors in the path of Vincent Van Gogh, my favorite artist. Then I have two footloose days in Paris to spend one day in the Tuileries and L'Orangerie, and the second on the Left Bank exploring old churches, hidden lanes, and great shops and markets. I am literally dreaming of this trip and counting the days. I have been to Paris (and most of the rest of France) many times but this time I will be totally footloose, following only my whims and nose.(For my 50th it was Italy with an equally tiny group for art galleries, cathedrals, dining, and shopping). I can't imagine anything more heavenly than Provence in May. In my 20s, I escaped Toledo, Ohio to serve in the Army as a communications officer, and was stationed in the Netherlands and Worms, Germany. I learned to appreciate great wines, wine festivals and alpine skiing. I also travelled independently and later with my husband, from the UK to Scandinavia to the Italian Riviera (where we honeymooned). We were married in the Heidelberg Castle in Germany in 1980. Then I got busier with grad school, work, and babies. In 2000 we brought our girls to Europe for our 20th anniversary, and in 2010 we plan to celebrate our 30th in Israel. Ever since I stepped off the plane in Brussels for my first assignment as a green second lieutenant, I have been addicted to wanderlust, especially in Europe. I have at least a couple of dozen trips overseas and several in North America to complete before I leave this life. My oldest girl has developed the same craving, and has travelled to Italy on her own and Israel with a small college group since her European jaunt with us as a teen. Would love to hear from other Slow Travelers in the DC area with similar interests.

Welcome, Bagbabe! I am in DC and we have quite a nice group from the area now. I love Italy, Latin America, and travel in general.

Your upcoming trip sounds great and I really enjoyed reading about your past adventures! I am sure you will get lots of good advice here.

Welcome to Slow Travel! We look forward to your participation in our discussions. We have a fine contingent of DC members and I am sure they will welcome this additon to DC strength!

Welcome to SlowTrav from another DC-area resident. I love your story and envy your upcoming trip! You'll find more than you ever expected from this website.

Welcome, welcome, welcome! I look forward to hearing about your trip and what an amazing you story. You'll be well loved for your advice on the France boards, surely.

Welcome from another NoVa Slow Traveler. Just got back from the south of France, so am catching up with Slow Trav posts.
Have a wonderful trip - how could you NOT in dreamy Provence!
Anne

Hello and welcome from yet another NoVa STer. We also lived in Worms for a while back in the day. I don't know if you've been back, but it's very different these days!

Have a great trip, and keep checking the GTG forum - I'm sure we'll have another DC area GTG before long.

Your trip sounds delightful! What a wonderful husband. I know you will enjoy every moment of it. When you're not traveling, join us all here to pretend you are!

Laura